Narita Airport, formerly also known as New Tokyo International Airport, is located in the city of Narita in Chiba Prefecture, about 60 kilometers outside of Tokyo. It consists of two terminal buildings, terminal 1 and terminal 2, with each airline being assigned to one of the two terminals. On April 8, 2015, terminal 3 will be opened for use by low-budget airlines. It will be connected with terminal 2 by a pedestrian walkway and shuttle buses.

Narita Airport is connected with central Tokyo by multiple rail and bus lines:

How to travel between Narita Airport and Tokyo Station

By JR Narita Express

Direct, 60 minutes, around 3000 yen, 1-2 connections per hour

The most comfortable way of travel between Narita Airport and Tokyo Station is the JR Narita Express (NEX). The one way journey takes roughly one hour, costs around 3000 yen and is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass, JR East Pass and JR Kanto Area Pass. There are departures every 30 to 60 minutes. The NEX Tokyo Round Trip Ticket for 4000 yen provides foreign travelers with a discounted round trip from the airport into Tokyo and back within a 2-week period.

By JR Sobu Line

Direct, 90 minutes, 1320 yen, 1 connection per hour

The JR Sobu Line (Rapid Service) is the slower but cheaper JR alternative to the Narita Express. The one way trip takes roughly 90 minutes and costs 1320 yen. There is about one departure per hour.

By Keisei Skyliner

1 transfer, 55 minutes, 2630 yen, 2 connections per hour

Take the Keisei Skyliner from Narita Airport to Nippori Station (about 40 minutes, 2470 yen) and transfer to the JR Yamanote Line or JR Keihin-Tohoku Line to get to Tokyo Station (10 minutes, 160 yen). There are connections every 20-40 minutes.

By Keisei Limited Express

1 transfer, 90 minutes, 1190 yen, 3 connections per hour

Take the Keisei Limited Express from Narita Airport to Nippori Station (about 75 minutes, 1030 yen) and transfer to the JR Yamanote Line or JR Keihin-Tohoku Line to get to Tokyo Station (10 minutes, 160 yen). There are connections every 20 minutes.

By limousine bus

Direct, 100 minutes, 3100 yen, 3-4 connections per hour

Limousine buses to Tokyo Station depart Narita Airport every 15 to 20 minutes. The one way journey takes about 100 minutes and costs 3100 yen. In addition, there are direct limousine bus connections to several major hotels in the Tokyo Station area. A special round trip ticket for only 4500 yen is available to foreign tourists exclusively through April 24, 2015.

By Tokyo Shuttle bus

Direct, 90 minutes, 900-1000 yen, 3 connections per hour

This discount bus service operates roughly three times per hour between Narita Airport and Tokyo Station. The one way fare is 1000 yen during the day and 2000 yen for late-night and early-morning departures. If tickets are purchased in advance via the internet (Japanese only), the one way fare is 900 yen. The discounted fare also applies to purchases of tickets in direction of the airport done by phone or at a convenience store.

By Be-Transse bus

Direct, 90 minutes, 1000 yen, 2 connections per hour

This discount bus service operates roughly twice per hour between Narita Airport, Tokyo Station and Ginza Station. The one way fare is 1000 yen. Advance reservations are possible.

Above fees and schedules are subject to change. For the current yen exchange rate, click here.

JR Sobu Line (Rapid Service)About 1300 yen, 85 minutes to central Tokyo
Departures every 60 minutes
The Rapid Sobu Line is the inexpensive JR alternative to the Narita Express, connecting the airport with Tokyo Station and Yokohama. The Rapid Sobu Line is a normal commuter train, which stops at several stations between the airport and Tokyo and can become crowded during rush hours. Seat reservations are not possible.

Keisei SkylinerAbout 2500 yen, 40 minutes to central Tokyo
Departures every 20-40 minutes
The Keisei Skyliner provides the fastest connection into central Tokyo, connecting the airport with Ueno Station. It is a comfortable train for travelers to and from the airport. All seats are reserved. Keisei offers discount ticket packages to arriving tourists that combine the Skyliner ride from the airport to central Tokyo with day passes for the subway lines in Tokyo.

Keisei Limited ExpressAbout 1000 yen, 75 minutes to central Tokyo
Departures every 20 minutes
The most inexpensive option by Keisei Railways, the Keisei Limited Express is the cheapest way to get from the airport into Tokyo. It is a normal commuter train, which stops at several stations between the airport and Tokyo and can become crowded during rush hours. Seat reservations are not possible.

Keisei/Keikyu Narita-Haneda Limited ExpressAbout 1200 yen, 60 minutes to central Tokyo
Departures every 40 minutes
Trains named "Access Express" or "Airport Kaitoku" directly connect Narita Airport to Tokyo's other airport, Haneda Airport via the Narita Sky Access Line, Asakusa Subway Line and Keikyu Airport Line. Along the way they stop several times in central Tokyo, including Asakusa, Ginza and Shinagawa. Seat reservations are not possible.

BusAbout 900-3200 yen, 60-90 minutes to central Tokyo
Several bus companies offer connections to various places in the Tokyo area and neighboring prefectures, including direct connections to major hotels across central Tokyo. Conventional "limousine buses" cost around 3200 yen one way, but several cheaper bus services have entered the competition recently, offering one way fares of around 1000 yen.

TaxiAbout 20,000 yen, 60-90 minutes to central Tokyo
Because Narita Airport is located about 60 km outside of Tokyo, a taxi ride into central Tokyo is very expensive and not recommended to common travelers.

What to see around Narita Airport

Narita Airport is located 60 kilometers or a one hour train ride outside of central Tokyo. When planning a short excursion into central Tokyo, you should allot at least three hours for the train trip in and out of the city, and check the schedule for your return trip in advance.